Devon Cricket Board - Top two clash in A Division match of the day

LEADERS Plympton have the chance to put some distance between themselves and one of the chasers when they host Bradninch.
Bradninch are 10 points behind Plympton in second place to any points taken off them effectively count double.
“It was close at our place and no doubt this Saturday will be as well,” said Plympton captain James Carr.
“The pressure is on Bradninch as they are desperate to go back up to the Premier.
“We have had a good start to the season, top of the league, in the t20 final on Sunday, did well in the Senior Cup so the club is in a good place.
“At the same time we know there are plenty of good teams in this division and it can quickly change around.
“At the end of the season, if were are not in the top two, then we don't deserve it.
“We are not putting any pressure on ourselves to get up, just to enjoy our cricket and seems to be working.”
Missing this Saturday are Olly Mulberry (away) and Dave Wrench (wedding).
Ryan Skinner and Ross Farrer are more than capable cricketers as replacements, but Carr needs an opening bat in Mulberry’s absence and neither is.
“Ryan and Ross have been two our best players so far this season, so I am not too worried,” said Carr.
“The only issue is an opening spot as Olly has been playing well, as has the whole batting line up, and I don't particularly want to shuffle it around so still deciding who will open.”
Bradninch were top until they were rained off last Saturday while Plympton played and won.
Tim Piper, the Bradninch captain, takes the view Plympton are keeping the seat warm until his team overtakes them again.
“Obviously the rain hurt us again last week,” said Piper.
“Plympton got away with it and have robbed us of top spot for the minute, but we want it back.
“Plympton look to have a good team back together now. They were short when we played them first game of the season, as were we. Now we're both full strength, I am expecting another good match.”
Piper has noted the form of Wes Hartslief, whose century against Chudleigh last Saturday proved decisive.
“He has been getting a load of runs, quickly, so we'll have an eye on him,” said Piper.
“We've been pretty shocked to see it to be honest, as when we played them last, he could hardly get bat on ball.
“Plympton are by no means a one-man team though and are genuine promotion candidates, with strength in depth. If we play to our best, we will win.”
BARTON have signed Mark Gilmour from Stoke Gabriel as skipper Adam Parker beefs up his squad for the second half of the season.
All-rounder Gilmour (pictured) joined Stoke from Torquay at the start of the season as captain, but things haven’t worked out for player or club and they parted company last week.
Gilmour didn’t want to sit out the second half of the season, so an approach from Parker went down well.
“It made sense to play locally and at a better standard of cricket,” said Gilmour.
“I know the lads from playing against them and they seem like a good bunch.
“I am looking forward to letting my cricket do the talking for Barton.”
Barton captain Adam Parker, just back playing after surgery, said he was delighted to have Gilmour on board.
‪”Without doubt it is a great signing and gives us more depth, both batting and bowling, as we approach the second half of the season.
“I look forward to seeing Mark in a Barton shirt putting in some good performances.”
Abbots lost first time round against Barton and want revenge in the Two Mile Oak rematch.
“Going into the second half of the season we are in a good position and have improved massively since we lost to Barton in the first week,” said captain Richard Acton.
Steve Bowman is away this week so Charlie Hill steps up from the 2nds hoping to take his run-scoring form with him.
LEWDOWN entertain Budleigh Salterton looking to get the defeat at Hatherleigh out of their systems.
In the logjam at the bottom ahead of Chudleigh, only six points separate Hatherleigh, Lewdown and Budleigh Salterton.
Lewdown want to stay ahead of Hatherleigh, whose recent winning streak faces a stiff test away to promotion hopefuls Paignton.
Harry Geering, the Lewdown captain, said the with the side virtually at full strength there can be no excuses for not performing.
“Everyone is back from collage and university so it's up to us to get out of the bottom half now,” said Geering.
“Going to be looking for more attacking bowling this week as, until the pitch last week started to deteriorate, wickets looked hard to come by.
“It's hard to say to much about our batting as the pitch turned into a minefield.
“This week we'll be looking for one or two players to dig in for a big score as Dave ball did last time we played Budleigh.”
Budleigh were joint top a month ago, but in a desperately close division a couple of defeats make a big difference.
Said Geering: “I don't know what to expect from Budleigh.
“The team they had in the first game of the season would be comfortable for promotion so they've obviously struggled to keep the same side out each week as we have.”
Jack Williams is away but Mark Jordan's back.
HATHERLEIGH captain Mark Lake is under no illusions of the task ahead at Queens Park.
“Paignton have been the best, all-round side we've played this year, so we know we have to be at our best,” said Lake.
“Confidence is high after last week and we feel we can push on in the second half of the season and gain more positive results.”
Simon Gillespie is working and Andy Collier is getting married.
In come Robert Fishleigh and Andy Bennett.
CHUDLEIGH skipper Ed Foreman believes his winless side can spring a surprise by beating Brixham.
“Last time round we ran a good Brixham side really close with only 130 on the board,” said Foreman.
“The obvious aim for the second half of the season is to score more runs.
“When our batsman start backing up our bowlers we will cause upsets.
“I have a good squad to pick from this week, which allows players to get some form back in the 2nd XI.”
Will Heather comes in and Jack Vittles drops down.
Brixham will be without George Northcott, but Andrew Lewin’s return more than compensates in the early order.
Rory MacDonald comes in for Phil Hyde who has bowled brilliantly, but makes way as skipper Andy Pugh wants another batter.